Landowner threatened to move Gypsies onto a field opposite people’s homes unless they supported plans to build homes on it

The district council are contacting the landowner over concerns about the letter's contents

By Susannah Keogh

8th February 2018, 2:43 pm

Updated: 9th February 2018, 3:24 pm

VILLAGERS were left horrified when they received a letter from a landowner threatening to move GYPSIES onto a field opposite their homes unless they backed his plan to sell it to a developer.

Wayne Rushton told homeowners he would "invite some of our gypsy friends" onto the idyllic site in Leicestershire, which he was trying to flog off for new houses.

SWNS:South West News Service

The letter received by residents of Pinel Close in the quiet village of Broughton Astley - telling them that unless they agreed to development plans, gypsies would be moved onto the field opposite them

In the same bizarre letter, sent on January 22, he also offered residents £250 each if they backed his plans for 12 new homes on Pinel Close, in the village of Broughton Astley.

He wrote that if the residents failed to support his plans, the land would be left to "overgrow into waste land" and added:

"We shall invite some of our gypsy friends to station themselves on the land for as long as they wish to stay.

SWNS:South West News Service

The field overlooking the road, which there are reportedly plans on which to build houses

SWNS:South West News Service

Residents were left stunned after receiving the letter out of the blue

"We shall provide a new water supply for the Gypsies."

But just a week later, another letter was circulated claiming the offer had been withdrawn because it could be "misconstrued as a bribe rather than compensation for loss of amenity space.

A resident said they contacted who Rushton named as his business partner, David Haynes, who said he had no idea about the plan.

He told the Sun Online: "I've never even heard of Wayne Rushton. I have nothing to do with the site on whatever road it's on, I don't even know where it is."

SWNS:South West News Service

The plans for the new development on the field opposite Pinel Close, which Mr. Rushton said would be left to grow into waste land unless his housing plans were supported by residents

SWNS:South West News Service

Roads on the street typically sell for over £200,000, and residents were left in disbelief when they received the letter

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: "Initially, I was in a bit of disbelief that anyone in their right mind would even do that, and then I suppose I was upset really that someone has behaved like that.

"Obviously it's not what you expect to open when you open the post - that was the first contact we've ever had with these people.

"You don't normally play the threat card.

"I'm surprised anyone is stupid enough to behave like that."

SWNS:South West News Service

One resident said they were shocked by the menacing way in which the article was written

SWNS:South West News Service

Homeowners were offered "250 if they supported the planning application to build houses on the field

Another resident said they are speaking to the police and council about the letter, after shocked by the "menacing way it was written."

"Neighbours are worried, especially the older people living within the close, obviously it's very upsetting for them.

"It is a quiet part of the estate - to have more buildings overlooking etc., it's the last thing they want."

Despite the letter claiming an application for planning permission had been submitted, Harborough District Council confirmed that they have received no such application.

A spokesman said: "We take this matter very seriously and have written to the landowner in question stating that the letter he sent to residents is highly inappropriate and undermines the fundamental principles of the planning system."

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